Student Workers: Benefits And Opportunities At The University Of Arizona

what is a student worker the university of arizona

At the University of Arizona, a student worker is a part-time employee who is concurrently enrolled at the university. Student workers are classified as nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and are subject to maximum work hours. They are paid on an hourly basis, with the wage scale starting at $14.35/hour. To be eligible for student employment, students must be actively enrolled and attending classes, meeting the minimum unit requirements. International students must have valid immigration status and may have additional enrollment criteria. Student workers can gain valuable work experience, enhance their resumes, and develop practical career skills. They are not eligible for simultaneous university staff or graduate assistant positions.

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Student worker eligibility

To be eligible for student employment at the University of Arizona, a student must be enrolled at the university and actively attending classes. They must also be enrolled in at least 6 units, and online courses for credit count toward this minimum requirement. Students must continue to meet these enrollment requirements for the duration of their employment.

Incoming students who have not yet started classes and graduating students who have completed their final exams or course requirements are not eligible for student employment. International students must have a valid immigration status that allows them to work, and they must meet the minimum credit hour requirements. Additionally, J-1 international students must request authorization from International Student Services before starting work.

Student workers are classified as part-time, nonexempt employees, and their primary relationship with the university is as a student, not an employee. They are paid on an hourly basis, with wages ranging from $14.35 to $50.00 per hour. Student workers are expected to adhere to the rules and conduct of the university, the Arizona Board of Regents, and their department. They are also subject to the Student Code of Conduct.

There are different student worker classifications, including Student Groups B, C, and D, and each group has different requirements and responsibilities. Student Group B includes undergraduate and graduate students who may have little to no previous work experience or up to two years of experience. Undergraduate students in this group may lead other student workers. Graduate students in Student Group B may also have little to no experience or up to two years of experience, and they may lead other student workers as well.

Student Group C is for qualified upper-level undergraduate or graduate students with extensive experience and advanced knowledge. These students work under general direction and may supervise other student workers. Licensing or certification by a state agency may be required for this group.

Student Group D is for graduate students who perform work similar to Graduate Assistants/Associates but do not hold that position because they will complete their graduate degree and enrollment mid-semester. These students require extensive knowledge and experience at the graduate level.

Another classification is Undergraduate Research Assistant I, which is for undergraduate students who support research projects led by university faculty or research personnel. Students in this classification may have little to no experience or up to two years of experience, and they are paid hourly.

Student Residence Hall Assistants reside in university residence halls and work with staff to create a socially, culturally, and educationally enriching experience for residents.

It is important to note that student workers are not eligible for simultaneous employment as university staff, classified staff, or appointed personnel at the University of Arizona. Additionally, student workers in Student Groups B, C, or D are not eligible for simultaneous employment as graduate assistants/associates.

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Student worker classifications

At the University of Arizona, a student worker is a part-time employee who is concurrently enrolled at the university. Student workers are at-will employees, and their employment is interim or temporary and incidental to their education. The university classifies student workers into groups B, C, and D, with Group D being the highest level.

Student Group B

Undergraduate and graduate students may be hired into Student Group B. Student workers in this classification are paid on an hourly basis. Undergraduate students hired into this classification may have little or no previous training or work experience, or they may have one to two years of college or comparable experience. Work is performed under close to general supervision. Undergraduates in this classification may lead other student workers.

Student Group C

Qualified upper-level undergraduate or graduate students may be hired into Student Group C. These positions require extensive training or experience and advanced knowledge at the upper undergraduate or master's level, or three to four years of comparable experience. Work is performed under general direction and requires considerable knowledge of a discipline. Licensing or certification by a state agency may be required. Generally, these positions involve supervision of other student workers.

Student Group D

Student Group D is applicable to graduate students who perform work similar to graduate assistant/associate positions but do not hold a graduate assistant/associate position because they will complete their graduate degree and university enrollment mid-semester. Graduate students in this classification require extensive training or experience and knowledge at the graduate level, or three to four years of comparable experience. Work is performed under close to general supervision and requires considerable knowledge of a discipline. Licensing or certification by a state agency may be required. Graduate students in this classification may lead other student workers but may not perform research or instructional duties normally associated with a graduate assistant/associate position.

Other Classifications

Undergraduate Research Assistant I

Only undergraduate students may be hired as Undergraduate Research Assistants I. Students employed in this classification are paid hourly for work supporting research projects led by University of Arizona faculty members or other research personnel. Undergraduate Research Assistants I participate in Undergraduate Research. Students hired into this classification may have little or no previous training or work experience, or they may have one to two years of college or comparable experience. Work is performed under close to general supervision.

Student Residence Hall Assistants

Student Residence Hall Assistants reside in a university residence hall where they work with other residence hall staff to promote a socially, culturally, and educationally enriching experience for students living in residence halls. They may work up to 15 hours per week in another student worker position.

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Student worker pay

At the University of Arizona, a student worker is a part-time employee who is concurrently enrolled at the university. Student workers must be actively attending classes and enrolled for the appropriate number of units for the duration of their employment. International students must have a valid immigration status that allows student employment and may have additional enrollment requirements.

Student workers are classified as nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and must not exceed the maximum work hours set forth in the University of Arizona's policy. Student workers may work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters, and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break. Student Residence Hall Assistants may work up to 15 hours per week in another student worker position. Student workers who exceed 40 hours in a week must be paid at an overtime rate of 1.5 times the regular pay.

The pay rate for student workers at the University of Arizona varies depending on the assigned Student Group classification and the duties performed. Undergraduate students in Student Group B may be paid hourly and may be required to have little to no previous work experience or up to one to two years of comparable experience. Undergraduate Research Assistants I and II are also paid on an hourly basis, supporting research projects led by university faculty members. Graduate students in Student Group D, who perform work similar to Graduate Assistants/Associates, are paid at least the minimum of the pay range for their classification. Student Residence Hall Assistants receive room and board expenses instead of hourly pay. Student Journalists are generally paid on a per-piece basis.

The minimum wage for student workers at the University of Arizona will increase from $14.50 to $14.70 per hour in 2025, in alignment with Arizona's Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act. This increase will take effect with the pay period beginning on December 23, 2024, and student workers will see the change in their January 10, 2025, paycheck.

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Student worker hours

At the University of Arizona, a student worker is a part-time employee concurrently enrolled at the university. Student workers are at-will employees, and their employment is interim or temporary in nature and incidental to their education. Student workers are classified as nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and are subject to maximum work hours.

Student workers at the University of Arizona are allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters. During the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break, they can work up to 35 hours per week. Student Residence Hall Assistants may work up to 15 hours per week in another student worker position. International students with valid immigration status permitting employment may work up to 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters without written permission from International Student Services.

Student workers are paid on an hourly basis, with the wage scale starting at $14.35 per hour. Undergraduate students may be required to have little to no previous work experience, while others may need up to two years of college experience or comparable experience. Graduate students in Student Group B may also have little to no previous work experience, but they may also have up to two years of college or comparable experience.

Students in Student Group C are upper-level undergraduates or graduate students with extensive training, advanced knowledge, or three to four years of comparable experience. They work under general direction, requiring considerable knowledge of a discipline and independent judgment in developing new procedures, techniques, or systems. Licensing or certification may be required for some positions.

Students in Student Group D are graduate students who perform work similar to Graduate Assistants/Associates but do not hold that position because they will complete their graduate degree mid-semester. These students require extensive knowledge and experience at the graduate level or three to four years of comparable experience. They work under close to general supervision and are responsible for developing new procedures, techniques, or equipment.

Undergraduate Research Assistants I are paid hourly for supporting research projects led by university faculty or research personnel. These students may have little to no previous work experience or up to two years of college experience. Their work does not involve cleaning, materials preparation, or other administrative tasks unrelated to research.

Student workers must accurately record their hours on their timesheets, which are approved by their supervisors in accordance with payroll deadlines. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring student workers' hours and ensuring compliance with the maximum hour limits. If a student worker exceeds 40 hours in a week, any excess hours must be paid at an overtime rate of 1.5 times the regular pay. Student workers are expected to notify their supervisor if they will be absent or tardy and to follow departmental notification procedures to avoid disciplinary action.

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Student worker conduct

At the University of Arizona, a student worker is a part-time employee who is concurrently enrolled at the university. Student workers are at-will employees and are not guaranteed employment.

Student workers at the University of Arizona are expected to adhere to the rules of conduct of the university, the Arizona Board of Regents, and their specific department. Additionally, student workers are subject to the Student Code of Conduct. Departments may establish additional rules for their student workers if deemed necessary for effective operation.

Rules of Conduct

  • Absence without a legitimate excuse and/or failure to follow departmental notification procedures
  • Discourtesy towards others, including failure to work harmoniously with co-workers or serve the public with courtesy
  • Gambling while at work
  • Hindering or interfering with normal operations or another employee's work
  • Illegal conduct or conduct damaging to the University's public relations
  • Incompetency, neglect of duty, or unsatisfactory performance of assigned job duties
  • Failure or refusal to comply with a supervisor's instructions, unless the instructions are illegal or endanger health or safety
  • Committing or threatening physical or verbal abuse
  • Refusal to obey instructions from law enforcement or other authorities
  • Smoking on campus
  • Sleeping on duty
  • Unlawful or unauthorized use, carrying, or possession of firearms, explosives, or other potentially dangerous weapons on University property

Work Hours

Student workers are classified as nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and must not exceed the maximum work hours. Student workers can work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters, and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break. Student workers must accurately record their hours on a timesheet, and supervisors are responsible for monitoring this. If a student worker exceeds 40 hours in a week, any excess hours must be paid at an overtime rate of 1.5 times the regular pay.

Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible with student workers' schedules and allow them to take unpaid time off for exams or major projects. Student workers are authorized to take a 15-minute paid rest break during a continuous four-hour work period and an unpaid meal break if they work eight hours in a day.

Frequently asked questions

A student worker is a part-time employee who is concurrently enrolled at the University of Arizona. Student workers are at-will employees and their primary relationship to the University is as a student, not an employee.

To be a student worker, you must be a University of Arizona student enrolled in at least 6 units. Online courses for credit count toward the minimum enrollment requirements. International students must have a valid immigration status that allows student employment and meet the minimum credit hour requirements.

The pay rate for a student worker must be at least the minimum of the pay range for the assigned Student Group classification. Student workers may work up to 25 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters, and up to 35 hours per week during the Summer Session, Winter Session, and Spring Break. Student workers are not allowed to exceed 40 hours in a week and any excess hours must be paid at an overtime rate of 1.5 times the regular pay.

There are four student worker classifications: Student Group B, C, D, and Undergraduate Research Assistant II. Each classification has different requirements for experience and knowledge, as well as different duties and responsibilities. Undergraduate and graduate students may be hired into Student Group B, while Student Group C is for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students with extensive experience and knowledge. Student Group D is for graduate students who perform work similar to Graduate Assistants/Associates but do not hold that position. Undergraduate Research Assistant II is for upper-division undergraduate students who support research projects.

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